Puppetrantz puppet building workshops can
be short programs combined with a performance, or can be an ongoing
stand-alone activity.
Simple
Workshops
Typically takes about 30-45 minutes. Choose between sock puppets
or simple (Styrofoam-based) rod puppets. We supply the materials
-- all we need from you is a workspace. At the end of the workshop,
each participant will have a puppet to take home.
A great complement to a Puppetrantz performance at your event
or party.
School
Workshops & Artist Residencies
Workshops can be structured to fit an activity period, go
for a full morning or afternoon, or continue over several days
or weeks as an Artist-in-Residence program.
Single-session
workshops
In our basic short workshop, each participant will make a
sock puppet or a simple (Styrofoam-based) rod puppet to take
home. Longer single-session workshops allow for brief performances
to be rehearsed or for more elaborate puppets to be constructed.
Residencies
With a long-term, Artist-in-Residence program, participants
may explore a number of basic puppet types and can even design,
create, and perform their own original show. Workshops are structured
to fit the needs of each situation.
- Some residencies guide students through the construction
of a series of puppets, introducing different types of puppet,
most more elaborate than those time allows for in shorter workshops.
- In others, puppet character development is emphasized through
performance both solo and through collaboration with other students.
- Other workshop series may focus on the development of individual
and group performances. The participants are involved in all
aspects of the show -- from the writing of the script, to the
building of the puppets, rehearsal, and a final performance.
Additionally, Puppetrantz is happy to work with you if you
have a particular theme in mind.
Teacher
Training Workshops
Perfect for teacher in-service days, these workshops introduce
improv exercises that teachers can, in turn, use with their students
in the classroom. These mind opening and invigorating techniques
get teachers on their feet as they discover how role playing
through dramatics and puppetry can benefit their conventional
lesson plans in unconventional ways. We'll show them some great
ways they can use puppets in the classroom -- at all grade levels
-- to help kids learn to collaborate, resolve conflict peacefully,
express themselves clearly, and overcome shyness and public speaking
anxiety. All this while having fun too! Teacher training workshops
can be tailored to fit your in-service day schedule with variable
45-90 minute sessions.
